Should he still be here??????

[roybus14]

Bailey not only best this year, maybe best ever
Greg Garber, senior writer for ESPN.com

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The football spins through the air, a light-chocolate blur, but Champ Bailey sees it rotating like one of those classic NFL Films slow-motion shots, big as a beach ball.

The natural order of things suggests that ball, delivered by the quarterback, is intended expressly for his receiver, but the Denver Broncos' ethereal cornerback has a contrary point of view.

"I think the ball is always intended for me," Bailey says, with conviction. "They might not throw it directly to me, but if you're in my area, it's my ball.

Possession, of course, is nine-tenths of the law. And during the length and breadth of this frenzied 2006 NFL regular season, no defender had a greater sense of entitlement than Bailey. He and the New England Patriots' Asante Samuel shared the NFL lead with 10 interceptions, and in his last 30 regular-season games with the Broncos, Bailey produced a remarkable total of 18 thefts.

The Broncos' season is over after they imploded Sunday, losing to the San Francisco 49ers 26-23, but the game never would have reached overtime without Bailey. His second-quarter interception not only stopped a 49ers drive, it gave the Broncos a 13-0 lead when he took it 70 yards the other way for a touchdown. At game's end, Bailey and the Denver offense each had one touchdown.

While the San Diego Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson is the runaway choice for the NFL's Most Valuable Player award, the NFL's defensive player of the year is less obvious. The national debate has been centered around Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who led the league with 17 sacks, and Miami defensive end Jason Taylor, who registered 13.5 sacks. The discussion turned ugly last week when Taylor insisted that Merriman's four-game suspension for testing positive for steroids should disqualify him from consideration.

With all due respect to Merriman and Taylor, consider the Champ Bailey option.

He has long been acknowledged as the best cover cornerback in the business and was voted to his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl. But some -- including two of the Broncos' most decorated and respected players -- believe Bailey was the best defensive player in the entire league this season.

At Tampa Bay, safety John Lynch played alongside two players who were named the NFL's best defensive player: linebacker Derrick Brooks and defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Witness this extraordinary statement from Lynch:

"This is probably the most impressive season I've ever seen by a football player."

Wide receiver Rod Smith has been catching passes in a Broncos uniform for a dozen seasons now. He has two Super Bowl rings and had more receptions (156) for more yards (2,402) than any other Denver receiver in those championship seasons. The quarterback, you may remember, was a Hall of Famer, a guy named Elway.

"I'm going to go out on a limb," Smith said last week as snow descended on the Broncos' practice facility. "This is real close with him and another guy. [Bailey's] the best football player, period, any position I've ever played with. John Elway is a legend. Champ is at that status.

"Honestly, the best football player I've ever played with -- or against."

Considering all the players who have played in the NFL over the last 12 years, that's quite a declaration.

Those 10 interceptions are a career high for Bailey, but there is more to his game than mere thievery. This season, he set a career high for tackles (86), a disproportionately high number for a cornerback who doesn't get beat very often. Deion Sanders, the finest cover corner of his day, showed little inclination to tackle much of anything, but Bailey likes the contact.

The funny thing? His impressive interception and tackle totals come with a sizable asterisk: he gets very, very few opportunities. Bailey says opposing teams, on average, only throw three or four balls in his direction. Bailey, who is left in man-to-man coverage about half the time, essentially eliminates about one-third of the field, which gives the Broncos' an enormous advantage.

This doesn't mean people don't test him on occasion. Cardinals rookie quarterback Matt Leinart made that mistake in Week 15.

"I was at home watching the news," Lynch said, "and Matt Leinart was talking like, 'We've got to throw it. We can't just not throw it at him.' And I just sat there and smiled. I didn't tell Champ that until after because I didn't want to screw up his mind-set, but after his first pick, I told him and he got a good chuckle out of it.

"They'll learn soon enough."

Asked Smith, "What did Matt Leinart do? He threw two balls in the area of Champ -- and they both got picked by Champ. One of them wasn't even going towards Champ, but he just ran back there and stole it."

From his own teammate.

"It was one of the unbelievable plays I've seen in my career, because I never saw the guy," Lynch explained. "I made what I thought was a pretty good move to go get the football and, all of a sudden, this flash came. I threw my arms up in the air because I didn't know who it was or where he came from."

There are times when Bailey runs a crisper route than the receiver he's covering. Maybe it's because he played some receiver in his days at Georgia and, later, the Washington Redskins.

"If the ball goes up, let's go get it," Bailey said. "I don't care if I'm on the guy or not. If I have a chance to get it, I'm a get it."

It's really that simple.

"Derrick Brooks playing middle linebacker, and Warren Sapp at the three-technique, they could be involved in every play," Lynch said. "It's easy for an offense not to throw [Bailey's] way. He maximizes his opportunities. How he continues to have an impact upon each and every game, even though they may not be coming his way, that's impressed me.

"That's why he should be the defensive player of the year. He's had a really unique and special season."

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

"ethereal cornerback"????

I stopped reading at that point. Sorry.

He didn't look very "other-worldly" all those times he got burned during his last two seasons in Washington.

[1niksder]

This should be in ATL, regardless of the thread Title.

[HEROHAMO]

He was once a SKin but is no more. Good riddens!

[KazooSkinsFan]

We don't need a guy who doesn't want to be here. Whatever they are saying about him, it pales in comparison to his opinion of himself. I miss him not.

[UK Skins Fan]

What the hell is an ethereal cornerback? I suspect that being ethereal would be a severe impediment to catching the ball. So, perhaps Carlos Rogers is one?

I just love reading articles on how well former Redskins players are doing. Really cheers me up every January...

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

I suspect that being ethereal would be a severe impediment to catching the ball. So, perhaps Carlos Rogers is one?

[SkinsJock]

i was never very bright in most subjects at school, but 'english' was a really boring (it includes poetry!) subject, especially in Australia

'ethereal' contains the word ether = sleep or even detached? I don't think this is a good thing at all for a CB.


I am certainly glad he is not here - we miss the player, sure, but we don't miss the person.

[frankcal20]

Um Daryll Green was the best corner ever!!!!!

[KazooSkinsFan]

Um Daryll Green was the best corner ever!!!!!

Yes, on and off the field and in the locker room.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

Um Daryll Green was the best corner ever!!!!!

Yes, on and off the field and in the locker room.

But not at training camp, so I've been told.

[frankcal20]

He is working with C. Rogers this offseason. I hope he rubs off. I'm not to concerned for training camp.

Redeemed: Please elaborate.

[DEHog]

Don’t even get me started on this topic again! I was very outspoken about the need to keep Baily here and was chastised for it. I don’t get those of you who said he didn’t want to be here? All Bailey did was play out his 5 year rookie contract, never held out and never ask for more money. All while being arguably the Skins best players.

As for not wanting to be here, look at how DS treated him, never tried to resign him prior to his last year. Brought in and paid the like of Sanders, Smith, George, Johnson, Stubblefield, Carrier, and Trotter. So when Champ finally gets a chance to hit the FA market and see what he’s worth, Redskins fans bash him for “not wanting to be here! I think it just makes Skins fans feel better to think that was the case.
Champ will be picking off passes long after CP is out of football!!

[KazooSkinsFan]

Don’t even get me started on this topic again! I was very outspoken about the need to keep Baily here and was chastised for it. I don’t get those of you who said he didn’t want to be here? All Bailey did was play out his 5 year rookie contract, never held out and never ask for more money. All while being arguably the Skins best players.

As for not wanting to be here, look at how DS treated him, never tried to resign him prior to his last year. Brought in and paid the like of Sanders, Smith, George, Johnson, Stubblefield, Carrier, and Trotter. So when Champ finally gets a chance to hit the FA market and see what he’s worth, Redskins fans bash him for “not wanting to be here! I think it just makes Skins fans feel better to think that was the case.
Champ will be picking off passes long after CP is out of football!!

We may just be interpreting "not wanting to be here" differently and we may disagree, so let me clearify what I am saying.

I do not remember Bailey saying he actually wanted out. I totally took everything he said as he would stay only if we provided the largest offer. Fifty cents more from someone else and he's gone. He could care less about being a Skin unless that paid the best. That is what I mean by not wanting to be here. I am fine with guy like CP who get frustrated with losing and getting injured in pre-season but talks like this is where he wants to be. Champ was a mercenary and pretty clearly said so. He wasn't interested in Denver either, wanted to be in the East nearer his family. Oh, they pay the best? ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!

Before you say he can do that, I agree, he has every right to start and end his decision process with money, and I have every right to my opinion team loyalty does matter. And it's up to him to decide how much he will take to stay or leave and again it's my right to my opinion about that choice. I know you haven't said that, it just keeps coming up every time someone leaves us for more money and it's the same answer.

And for the first two years, no one missed him while we had top 10 Ds. Now a bad year and many keep going back to rehashing the past. The question is where we go, not where we've been.

[DEHog]

Don’t even get me started on this topic again! I was very outspoken about the need to keep Baily here and was chastised for it. I don’t get those of you who said he didn’t want to be here? All Bailey did was play out his 5 year rookie contract, never held out and never ask for more money. All while being arguably the Skins best players.

As for not wanting to be here, look at how DS treated him, never tried to resign him prior to his last year. Brought in and paid the like of Sanders, Smith, George, Johnson, Stubblefield, Carrier, and Trotter. So when Champ finally gets a chance to hit the FA market and see what he’s worth, Redskins fans bash him for “not wanting to be here! I think it just makes Skins fans feel better to think that was the case.
Champ will be picking off passes long after CP is out of football!!

We may just be interpreting "not wanting to be here" differently and we may disagree, so let me clearify what I am saying.

I do not remember Bailey saying he actually wanted out. I totally took everything he said as he would stay only if we provided the largest offer. Fifty cents more from someone else and he's gone. He could care less about being a Skin unless that paid the best. That is what I mean by not wanting to be here. I am fine with guy like CP who get frustrated with losing and getting injured in pre-season but talks like this is where he wants to be. Champ was a mercenary and pretty clearly said so. He wasn't interested in Denver either, wanted to be in the East nearer his family. Oh, they pay the best? ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!

Before you say he can do that, I agree, he has every right to start and end his decision process with money, and I have every right to my opinion team loyalty does matter. And it's up to him to decide how much he will take to stay or leave and again it's my right to my opinion about that choice. I know you haven't said that, it just keeps coming up every time someone leaves us for more money and it's the same answer.

And for the first two years, no one missed him while we had top 10 Ds. Now a bad year and many keep going back to rehashing the past. The question is where we go, not where we've been.

I've heard it all when it comes to this topic...You're mad at Champ becuase he wanted more money...

Like I've said in the past...You're at company A and you're one of the top producers in your field, your boss has not offered you a raise but has brought in people and paid them more them you. Then company B offers you more...But of course your not going to take because you want to be loyal to your current employer


As for CP...didn't he ask for more money before his contract was up??
Of course Skins fan welcome him with opened arms!!

[TincoSkin]

DE hog, good points.. he really is an elite player and its sad to see him in another uniform but i also have become attached to CP.. hes an explosive back that is the face of the new skins. the skins that will be going to the superbowl next season. we are here now and thats what matters. the next time we have a chance to trade for a guy who can set a franchise reacord for rushing id do it again.

[KazooSkinsFan]

Don’t even get me started on this topic again! I was very outspoken about the need to keep Baily here and was chastised for it. I don’t get those of you who said he didn’t want to be here? All Bailey did was play out his 5 year rookie contract, never held out and never ask for more money. All while being arguably the Skins best players.

As for not wanting to be here, look at how DS treated him, never tried to resign him prior to his last year. Brought in and paid the like of Sanders, Smith, George, Johnson, Stubblefield, Carrier, and Trotter. So when Champ finally gets a chance to hit the FA market and see what he’s worth, Redskins fans bash him for “not wanting to be here! I think it just makes Skins fans feel better to think that was the case.
Champ will be picking off passes long after CP is out of football!!

We may just be interpreting "not wanting to be here" differently and we may disagree, so let me clearify what I am saying.

I do not remember Bailey saying he actually wanted out. I totally took everything he said as he would stay only if we provided the largest offer. Fifty cents more from someone else and he's gone. He could care less about being a Skin unless that paid the best. That is what I mean by not wanting to be here. I am fine with guy like CP who get frustrated with losing and getting injured in pre-season but talks like this is where he wants to be. Champ was a mercenary and pretty clearly said so. He wasn't interested in Denver either, wanted to be in the East nearer his family. Oh, they pay the best? ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!

Before you say he can do that, I agree, he has every right to start and end his decision process with money, and I have every right to my opinion team loyalty does matter. And it's up to him to decide how much he will take to stay or leave and again it's my right to my opinion about that choice. I know you haven't said that, it just keeps coming up every time someone leaves us for more money and it's the same answer.

And for the first two years, no one missed him while we had top 10 Ds. Now a bad year and many keep going back to rehashing the past. The question is where we go, not where we've been.

I've heard it all when it comes to this topic...You're mad at Champ becuase he wanted more money...

Like I've said in the past...You're at company A and you're one of the top producers in your field, your boss has not offered you a raise but has brought in people and paid them more them you. Then company B offers you more...But of course your not going to take because you want to be loyal to your current employer


As for CP...didn't he ask for more money before his contract was up??
Of course Skins fan welcome him with opened arms!!

My pre-emptively addressing this point didn't phase you.

AGAIN.

He is entitled to do as he choses.

I am entitled to an opinion.

Same as I said in the post you just responded to. Though you threw in the erroneous comparison he was "not offered a raise." I call Bologna to that. Show me what you are basing Snyder didn't offer him a raise on. And CP "asked for a raise" doesn't counter anything I said so I'm not clear why you asked it.

[nuskins]

There are so many Homers here!

The article is not a comparison to CP, it has nothing to do with CP.

Champ is the best corner to ever play the game and this is not just some couch jockey's opinion but many repected veterans of the league have said this.

If your blind "homerism" won't let you aknowledge that then why post nonsensical argumentative statements regarding our former players.

It really irks me about the homers on here totally turning against a player as soon as he leaves the Redskins. It just shows a lack of class.

In the era of Free Agency do you really expect a player to play their entire career for one franchise, especially one as dysfunctional as the Redskins have been for the last 8 years?

Get a grip.

[KazooSkinsFan]

There are so many Homers here!

The article is not a comparison to CP, it has nothing to do with CP.

Champ is the best corner to ever play the game and this is not just some couch jockey's opinion but many repected veterans of the league have said this.

If your blind "homerism" won't let you aknowledge that then why post nonsensical argumentative statements regarding our former players.

It really irks me about the homers on here totally turning against a player as soon as he leaves the Redskins. It just shows a lack of class.

In the era of Free Agency do you really expect a player to play their entire career for one franchise, especially one as dysfunctional as the Redskins have been for the last 8 years?

Get a grip.

We traded CP for Bailey, so I dont' see them as unrelated like you. But can you clarify where I "totally turn" against Bailey? All I argued is the guy wanted the most money and he left and I don't pine for him. Others brought up they wanted him and said so and are still saying so, I just said he left for more money, good riddance. So how is that turning on him?

BTW, I'm not sure I think class is telling people they don't have class, but that's my opinion and I'm entitled to it.

[UK Skins Fan]

Best corner ever to play the game???!!

He's good, but I don't think he's even the best corner to have played for the Redskins. And his play over the last two years that he was in Washington didn't suggest that he was far and away the best corner in the league at that time, let alone of all time.

Looking at the stats and some of the things that I've seen written about him, he's certainly playing at a different level now to what he was then, but I just don't see him being the best to ever play the game. Let's see him play this well for another five years.

Do I wish he was still in Washington though? Yes.

[SkinsJock]

Bailey is a very good CB that may in time be considered great and get into the HOF but not yet!

He was also a very valuable part of our team but he chose to go elsewhere - see ya!

I do not watch all the ex Redskins (even the very good ones) I have enough headaches watching our players!